Environment Agency too weak to tackle illegal waste dumping, MPs say

"The public accounts committee stated that the Environment Agency had gaps in its powers and intelligence gathering, which hindered its ability to address the rise in waste dumping."

"The UK is facing a growing epidemic of illegal waste dumping, with at least 8,000 illegal dumps identified, and organized criminals profiting significantly from this activity."

"The report highlighted that the Environment Agency acted on confirmed intelligence weeks after local bodies were aware of the illegal dumping problem, showcasing a lack of timely response."

"Recommendations included establishing closer cooperation and intelligence sharing between the Environment Agency, local authorities, police, and other agencies to better address illegal waste dumping risks."

The Environment Agency is deemed insufficiently equipped to handle the escalating problem of illegal waste dumping, according to the public accounts committee. There are over 8,000 illegal dumps in the UK, with organized crime contributing to the issue, costing taxpayers £1 billion annually. The agency is only addressing a small fraction of these sites. The report emphasizes the need for improved intelligence gathering and collaboration among various authorities to tackle this growing epidemic effectively.

Read at www.theguardian.com